Iran navy commander unveils plans for Antarctic permanent presence

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Sep 2023 12:14
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Iranian officials have previously expressed the need for a permanent station in Antarctica, with plans dating back to 2012, but these plans have yet to be realized.

The new Iranian destroyer Sahand sails in Gulf waters, in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on December 1, 2018 (Iranian Army via AP)

Tasnim news reported on Friday that Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the Iranian Navy Commander, announced Iran's plans to establish a lasting presence in Antarctica.

"We have ownership in Antarctica and the plan is to hoist the Iranian flag there and establish a permanent base," Admiral Irani said.

Iranian officials have previously expressed the need for a permanent station in Antarctica, with plans dating back to 2012.

But these plans have yet to be realized.

AI-equipped 'Abu Mahdi' missiles

Earlier this month, Iran's naval forces received the Abu Mahdi naval cruise missile, equipped with artificial intelligence for command and control.

This missile has a range of over 1,000 km, significant destructive capabilities, and the ability to confront electronic warfare and evade radar systems.

It is expected to significantly expand Iran's naval defense coverage and operational range.

Abu Mahdi missile is an Iranian long-range surface-to-surface & anti-ship cruise missile that was developed by Iran. This is the first Iranian land-attack cruise missile capable of executing both anti-ship & land-strike missions pic.twitter.com/p3RvliXwRS
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) August 3, 2023

Missiles adapted to 'Abu Mahdi'

In August 2020, Iran introduced two new missiles named after Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both of whom were assassinated in a US raid in January 2020.

These missiles are the first long-range naval cruise missiles and possess unique characteristics, including precision striking, formidable destructive power, and the ability to navigate maritime terrains and breach enemy air defense systems.

They are highly maneuverable, and capable of low-altitude, radar-evading flight with midair course and height adjustments.

The missiles are equipped with powerful warheads that can effectively target various types of warships. The launch system, named Abu Mahdi, can launch multiple missiles rapidly from different launchers.

The missile's seeker system includes both active and passive radar homing, enhancing its stealth and electronic warfare capabilities.

The footage shows the accuracy of ‘Abu Mahdi’ cruise missile which was added to the naval fleets of #Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Army. pic.twitter.com/bVu9OfuiTe
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) July 29, 2023

Military doctrine

Iran's military doctrine upholds that Iran's armed capability is strictly oriented towards defensive purposes.

In recent years, Iranian military experts and technicians have achieved significant progress in producing a wide array of domestically manufactured equipment, ensuring self-sufficiency in weaponry for the armed forces.

Iranian authorities have consistently emphasized their commitment to enhancing military capabilities, particularly in the areas of missiles and drones, with the exclusive goal of bolstering national defense. They have also made it clear that Iran's defense capabilities will not be open to negotiation.